EXPLORING THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON WITH CHANG’E-6

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TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: China launched its second mission to the far side of the Moon. If successful, it will be the world’s first mission to bring back samples from the part of the Moon that the Earth never gets to see.

EXPLANATION:

Chang’e-6 Mission Objectives

• Chang’e 6 is a robotic lunar exploration mission by the China National Space Administration.
• As China’s second sample return mission, it will attempt to obtain a sample of soil and rock from the far side of the Moon.
• Like its predecessors in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, the spacecraft is named after the Chinese Moon goddess Chang’e.
• China’s Chang’e-6 mission, launched with the goal of exploring the far side, embodies a pioneering endeavor in lunar exploration.
• The mission, spanning 53 days, comprises several key objectives aimed at unraveling the mysteries of this enigmatic lunar region.
• Upon reaching lunar orbit, the Chang’e-6 mission will deploy its orbiter to circle the Moon while its lander descends into the South Pole-Aitken basin.
• This basin, spanning 2,500 kilometers in diameter, is of particular interest to scientists due to its colossal size and presumed origins.
• The South Pole-Aitken basin is believed to have been formed by a colossal impact event, potentially excavating material from the Moon’s mantle.
• By collecting samples from this region, scientists aim to gain unprecedented insights into the lunar interior, its composition, and geological history.

Sample Collection and Return

• The Chang’e-6 lander will employ various methods, including scooping and drilling, to collect lunar samples from the basin’s surface.
• Following sample acquisition, an ascent vehicle will launch, transferring the collected material to the orbiter’s service module.
• Subsequently, the service module will embark on its return journey to Earth, carrying valuable specimens for extensive analysis.

Historical Achievements

• China’s Chang’e-6 mission builds upon the country’s notable achievements in lunar exploration. In 2019, the Chang’e-4 mission achieved a historic soft landing on the far side of the Moon, paving the way for further scientific endeavors in this uncharted territory. The mission’s rover explored the Von Kármán crater, providing valuable data on the far side’s surface composition and geological features.

Why Explore the Far Side of the Moon?

• The Moon’s far side, often colloquially termed the “dark side,” is a region of profound interest for scientists due to its stark differences from the near side.
• Unlike the near side, which faces the Earth, the far side remains perpetually hidden from terrestrial observers.
• This unique vantage point offers a treasure trove of scientific opportunities.
• One of the primary reasons for exploring the far side lies in its geological disparities.
• Studies have revealed that the far side possesses a thicker crust, abundant craters, and fewer maria, or plains formed by ancient lava flows.
• These distinctions suggest a complex geological history distinct from the near side.

Origin and Evolution Mysteries

• Examining samples from the far side presents an unprecedented opportunity to unravel mysteries surrounding the Moon’s origin and evolution.
• While scientists have extensively analyzed samples from the near side, the far side remains largely unexplored in this regard.
• By studying far-side samples, researchers aim to shed light on why this region differs significantly from its counterpart.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/china-mission-far-side-moon-9307878/